Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction

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On the back of a thrilling 3-3 draw against champions Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano now travel to Villarreal, who have lost their last two league games.

Kick-off date/time: Wednesday December 18th 2024: UK – 8:30pm / US ET – 3:30pm / US PT – 12:30pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano may be televised on one of their affiliated channels

How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+

Villarreal Preview: Without a win in four

Villarreal’s winless run in all competitions extended to five matches over the weekend as they were beaten 1-2 by Real Betis. The last three of those games have ended in defeat which includes them being knocked out of the Copa Del Rey in stunning fashion at the hands of Spanish fourth tier side Pontevedra.

In terms of La Liga, Villarreal now find themselves in a battle to keep hold of their place in the top six following recent results, which only underlines the importance of this encounter from the hosts’ perspective.

Rayo Vallecano Preview: Form in Vallecano’s favour

Rayo Vallecano may still be riding the crest of a wave following an exhilarating 3-3 draw with Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at the weekend. That result made it three games unbeaten in all competitions for Vallecano, backing up their 0-1 win away at Valencia and progression to the next round of the Copa Del Rey at the expense of Unionistas.

Vallecano now sit 13th-place in La Liga on 20 points, but a win here would bring them to within three points of their opponents and continue their climb away from any potential relegation battle.

Villarreal Team News: Suspensions hamper home side

No sooner do Villarreal get Santi Comesana back, they lose the likes of Kiko Femenia, Dani Parejo and Alex Baena all to suspension. They each join a list of missing players which includes Alfonso Pedraza and Nicolas Pepe.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Luiz Junior; Navarro, Raul Albiol, Costa, Bernat; Yeremy Pino, Comesana, Gueye, Cabanes; Moreno, Perez

Unavailable: Conde (Injured), Foyth (Injured), Kiko Fenenia (Suspended), Parejo (Suspended), Akhomach (Injured), Alfonso Pedraza (Injured), Baena (Suspended) Pepe (Injured)

Questionable: Terrats (Injured)

Rayo Vallecano Team News: Little change expected from visitors

It’s unlikely that wholesale changes will be made by Real Vallecano following the short turnaround between fixtures, although Garcia could play on the left wing having come off the bench this past weekend.

Predicted XI (4-4-2): Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria; de Frutos, Ciss, Lopez, Garcia; Nteka, Palazon

Unavailable: Fernandez (Injured)

Questionable: Raul de Tomas (Illness)

Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction

This should be seen as a big opportunity for Rayo Vallecano against an opponent significantly higher than them in the table, but very much out of form and missing several key players. When taking into account how effective Vallecano have looked in front of goal, it would be no surprise to see them find the net at least once, which makes it even harder for Villarreal to gain a positive result. Therefore, consider utilising the double chance market here and backing the visitors to take a least a point, if not all three from this contest.

Villarreal vs Rayo Vallecano Tip: Double chance - draw/Rayo Vallecano